Lakeville, MN Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Lakeville regulates dogs under City Code Section 5-1-9 (Control of Dogs). No person may permit their dog, or a dog under their care, to be at large within the city. On any city park, city street, trail, or sidewalk a dog must be controlled by a leash not exceeding 25 feet in length. When a pedestrian approaches within 100 feet, the dog must be immediately recalled and brought under close control until the pedestrian retreats by 100 feet. The city notes that off-leash voice control is permitted only in specifically designated areas; outside those areas the leash rule applies. Lakeville does not require dogs to be licensed and instead encourages owners to microchip pets. Owners must also immediately clean up and sanitarily dispose of their pet's waste under City Code 5-1-17. Nuisance barking is addressed under the animal-control provisions, but enforcement generally requires that an officer witness the violation. These local rules supplement Minnesota Statutes Chapter 347, which governs dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs statewide. Because requirements such as the maximum leash length and recall distance are set by the city, residents walking dogs in Lakeville should follow the 25-foot leash and 100-foot recall standards in all public areas.